England and Croatia meet on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Dallas, Texas, in their opening Group L encounter at the FIFA World Cup 2026, rekindling memories of a 2018 World Cup semifinal that still stings for English fans.
In this blog you will find everything you need to know about how to watch England vs Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 kick-off time, team news, squad lists, and tactical preview.
Key Details
- Date: Tuesday, June 17, 2026
- Kick-off Time: 4:00 p.m. ET / 1:00 p.m. PT / 9:00 p.m. BST / 00:00 CET (June 18)
- Venue: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Dallas, Texas
- Where to Watch: ITV1 / ITVX (UK) | FOX / FS1 (USA) | SBS (Australia) | HRT (Croatia)
Where to Watch England vs. Croatia Football World Cup Match?
England vs Croatia is live in the UK on ITV1 and ITVX, with all coverage free to air. In the United States, FOX and FS1 hold English-language broadcast rights, with Telemundo and Universo providing Spanish-language coverage.
ITVX is free to stream for viewers with a valid UK TV licence. Australia can tune in via SBS, and Croatia fans can watch on HRT, the national public broadcaster.
FIFA+ may carry selected matches in certain territories where no primary broadcaster holds rights. Fans outside their home country should explore VPN options to access their preferred free broadcaster.
How to Watch England vs. Croatia with a VPN
If England vs Croatia is unavailable in your region, a VPN unlocks free access to ITVX, which broadcasts the match without charge for UK viewers.
ITVX is geoblocked to the United Kingdom, so connecting to a UK server bypasses that restriction regardless of your physical location.
- Sign up for PureVPN and install the app on your device.
- Connect to a UK server to get a British IP address.
- Visit ITVX and sign in or create a free account.
- Search for England vs Croatia and start streaming live.
Please note: Always check the terms of service of your broadcaster and VPN provider before streaming. PureVPN recommends using these tools in accordance with local regulations.
England vs. Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Team News
England Team News
Thomas Tuchel, the 52-year-old German who previously managed Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich, was appointed England head coach at the start of 2025. He inherited a squad that had reached consecutive European Championship finals under Gareth Southgate and immediately set about implementing a more aggressive, possession-led style.
England qualified for the 2026 World Cup in record-breaking fashion, winning all eight of their UEFA qualifying matches without conceding a single goal. Standout results included a 5-0 demolition of Serbia and a 5-goal rout of Latvia.
In their pre-tournament warm-up fixtures in Florida, England beat New Zealand 1-0 in Tampa on June 6, with captain Harry Kane heading home just before halftime. They then produced a commanding 3-0 victory over Costa Rica in Orlando on June 10, with Declan Rice scoring early and Anthony Gordon adding a second-half penalty.
Tuchel made bold selection calls for the tournament, omitting Phil Foden and Cole Palmer entirely while also leaving out Trent Alexander-Arnold. Ivan Toney returned to the squad after a lengthy absence, and young Jarell Quansah was preferred to Harry Maguire at centre-back.
Captain Harry Kane leads England at his third World Cup, equalling Billy Wright’s record. Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Bukayo Saka form the creative backbone of Tuchel’s system, while Jordan Pickford is the undisputed number one in goal.
Croatia Team News
Zlatko Dalic, the 59-year-old Croatian who has managed the national team since October 2017, has built one of the most decorated recent World Cup records of any nation. He guided Croatia to the final in 2018 and to a third-place finish in Qatar in 2022.
Croatia topped their UEFA qualifying group convincingly, winning seven of their eight matches and drawing one. They were the dominant team throughout, conceding very little and building on the quality that has made them a tournament staple.
Captain Luka Modric leads the side at 40 years of age, having moved from Real Madrid to AC Milan at the start of the 2025-26 season. He stood on the verge of earning his 200th international cap during the tournament, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only male players to compete in six World Cups.
Josko Gvardiol returned from a fractured right shin suffered in January 2026 and regained fitness in time for selection, with Dalic confirming his place in the squad on May 18. Ivan Perisic, Mateo Kovacic, Andrej Kramaric, and Mario Pasalic bring a combined wealth of major tournament experience to the squad.
One area of uncertainty for Croatia heading into the tournament was the central striker position, with Dalic having rotated between multiple options in recent international windows. Ante Budimir and Petar Musa are the leading contenders to start against England.
England FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Dean Henderson, James Trafford
- Defenders: Reece James, Ezri Konsa, Jarell Quansah, John Stones, Marc Guehi, Dan Burn, Nico O’Reilly, Djed Spence, Tino Livramento
- Midfielders: Declan Rice, Elliot Anderson, Kobbie Mainoo, Jordan Henderson, Morgan Rogers, Jude Bellingham, Eberechi Eze
- Forwards: Harry Kane, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Gordon, Noni Madueke
Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Squad
- Goalkeepers: Dominik Livakovic, Dominik Kotarski, Ivor Pandur
- Defenders: Josko Gvardiol, Duje Caleta-Car, Josip Sutalo, Josip Stanisic, Marin Pongraci, Martin Erlic, Luka Vuskovic
- Midfielders: Luka Modric, Mateo Kovacic, Mario Pasalic, Nikola Vlasic, Luka Sucic, Martin Baturina, Kristijan Jakic, Petar Sucic, Nikola Moro, Toni Fruk
- Forwards: Ivan Perisic, Andrej Kramaric, Ante Budimir, Marco Pasalic, Petar Musa, Igor Matanovic
England vs. Croatia FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Preview
England and Croatia square off on June 17 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, one of the most iconic venues in North American sport, with a capacity of over 80,000 and a history of hosting championship-calibre events. The fixture carries the weight of their 2018 semifinal history and is the defining opening fixture in Group L.
England arrive as the cleaner, more dominant qualifying side. Their eight-win, zero-conceded run under Tuchel signalled a defence-first foundation beneath an attacking structure built around Kane, Bellingham, and Saka. Two warm-up wins over New Zealand and Costa Rica confirmed Tuchel’s system is taking shape.
Croatia come in with the experience of back-to-back World Cup podium finishes and a squad capable of controlling a match through midfield. They qualified with seven wins from eight games, topping their European group and arriving in North America in strong shape. The stakes are high for both sides: a win in the opener puts either team in control of Group L.
Tactical Outlook: Tuchel is expected to set England up in a high-pressing 4-2-3-1 structure, with Rice and Anderson anchoring the midfield and Bellingham given licence to drive forward in support of Kane. Croatia under Dalic typically operate in a 4-3-3, with Modric orchestrating from deep and Kovacic driving through the lines. The key matchup to watch is Bellingham’s movement against Croatia’s midfield three and whether Gvardiol on the left can contain England’s right flank, where Saka poses a constant threat. England’s depth in wide areas gives Tuchel options mid-match that Dalic may struggle to counter.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Match Schedule
| Date | Match | Venue | Kick-off (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 17 | England vs. Croatia | Dallas | 00:00 (June 18 CET) |
| June 17 | Argentina vs. Algeria | Kansas City | 00:00 (June 18) |
| June 17 | Austria vs. Jordan | San Francisco | 00:00 (June 18) |
| June 17 | Portugal vs. Congo DR | Houston | 22:00 |
| June 17 | Ghana vs. Panama | Toronto | 22:00 |
| June 18 | Czechia vs. South Africa | Atlanta | 20:00 |
| June 18 | Switzerland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina | Los Angeles | 23:00 |
| June 18 | Canada vs. Qatar | Vancouver | 02:00 (June 19) |
| June 19 | Mexico vs. Korea Republic | Guadalajara | 01:00 (June 20) |
| June 19 | USA vs. Australia | Seattle | 23:00 |
| June 19 | Scotland vs. Morocco | Boston | 21:00 |
| June 20 | Brazil vs. Haiti | Philadelphia | 23:30 |
Football World Cup Preview
This year’s Football World Cup is shaping up to be the most ambitious and expansive edition of football’s grandest stage. The 23rd edition of the tournament will be held from June 11 to July 19, jointly hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
For the first time ever, three nations are co-hosting the World Cup; a milestone that reflects both the scale of the event and the growing global footprint of the beautiful game.
Football World Cup Format Explained: 48 Nations, 104 Matches
An expanded World Cup will feature 48 teams, 16 more than in Qatar 2022, and take place across three host nations for the first time. This expansion fundamentally changes the tournament’s structure.
The competition now consists of 12 groups of four teams, with each team playing three matches in their respective groups. The top two teams from each group and the eight best third-placed teams across the tournament will advance to the knockout Round of 32.
With 32 teams advancing, the knockout stage now includes a Round of 32, a Round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, meaning there will be 104 matches in total, 40 more than in Qatar. As a result, this World Cup will last 39 days instead of the roughly 32 days of previous tournaments.
16 Host Cities Across 3 Nations in Football World Cup
There will be 16 host cities in total, with 11 in the United States, three in Mexico, and two in Canada.
The cities where these games will take place include Toronto and Vancouver in Canada; Monterrey, Mexico City, and Guadalajara in Mexico; and San Francisco, Los Angeles, Seattle, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Boston, Philadelphia, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States.
The opening match is especially historic. The tournament kicks off at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, where Mexico will face South Africa, making it one of the most iconic venues in World Cup history, and the first stadium to host games at three different men’s World Cups.
The final is set for an equally iconic setting. The final is scheduled for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, which has been rebranded as New York New Jersey Stadium for the event.
The Stars to Watch in Football World Cup
The Football World Cup features a massive mix of established superstars and next-generation talent. Here are the names central to the tournament conversation:
Established Legends
- Lionel Messi — Argentina’s captain, widely expected to play his final World Cup
- Cristiano Ronaldo — Portugal’s all-time icon, also likely bowing out on the biggest stage
Elite Europeans
- Kylian Mbappé — France’s generational superstar and title favourite
- Erling Haaland — Norway’s goal machine making his World Cup debut
- Jude Bellingham — England’s midfield engine and creative force
- Jamal Musiala — Germany’s technically gifted young star
- Lamine Yamal — Spain’s teenage sensation
- Harry Kane — England’s all-time top scorer hunting major honours
South American Powerhouses
- Vinícius Júnior — Brazil’s electric winger and Ballon d’Or contender
- Federico Valverde — Uruguay’s tireless and technically brilliant midfielder
North American Heroes
- Alphonso Davies — Canada’s captain and fan favourite on home soil
- Christian Pulisic — The face of US soccer playing in front of a home crowd
African Star
- Mohamed Salah — Egypt’s legendary forward bringing vast club experience to the global stage
For Messi and Ronaldo, this will likely be their final World Cups, giving the tournament an unmistakably emotional dimension as two of the greatest players in football history bow out on the grandest stage.
Football World Cup Host Stadiums
| Stadium Name | Host City | Location | Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto Stadium | Toronto | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | 45,000 |
| BC Place Vancouver | Vancouver | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada | 54,000 |
| Estadio Azteca | Mexico City | Mexico City, Mexico | 83,000 |
| Estadio Guadalajara | Guadalajara | Zapopan, Jalisco, Mexico | 48,000 |
| Estadio Monterrey | Monterrey | Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico | 53,500 |
| Atlanta Stadium | Atlanta | Atlanta, Georgia, USA | 75,000 |
| Boston Stadium | Boston | Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA | 65,000 |
| Dallas Stadium | Dallas | Arlington, Texas, USA | 94,000 |
| NRG Stadium | Houston | Houston, Texas, USA | 72,000 |
| Kansas City Stadium | Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, USA | 73,000 |
| Los Angeles Stadium | Los Angeles | Inglewood, California, USA | 70,000 |
| Miami Stadium | Miami | Miami Gardens, Florida, USA | 65,000 |
| MetLife Stadium | New York/New Jersey | East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA | 82,500 |
| Philadelphia Stadium | Philadelphia | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA | 69,000 |
| San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (Levi’s Stadium) | San Francisco Bay Area | Santa Clara, California, USA | 71,000 |
| Seattle Stadium | Seattle | Seattle, Washington, USA | 69,000 |
Prize Money and Commercial Scale for Football World Cup
The prize money for this World Cup was confirmed at a official meeting in Doha. The prize fund is up 50 per cent on that of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and each team also receives $1.5m to cover preparation costs, meaning every team is guaranteed at least $10.5m.
The United States last hosted the men’s World Cup in 1994, and that tournament still holds the record as the most attended World Cup with 3.6 million fans. But that record will certainly be shattered in 2026 with fans entering turnstiles in three countries.
Football World Cup official broadcasters
Here’s a list of the official broadcasters for the Football World Cup Qatar in different countries across the world.
| Country/Region | Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
| Afghanistan | ATN |
| Albania | TV Klan |
| Algeria | ENTV |
| Andorra | RTVE, M6, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Angola | Z Sports |
| Argentina | Telefe, TV Pública, TyC Sports |
| Armenia | Fast Sports |
| Aruba | Telearuba |
| Australia | SBS |
| Austria | ORF, ServusTV, Magenta Sport |
| Azerbaijan | İTV |
| Bangladesh | TBA |
| Belize | Nexgen |
| Belgium | VRT, RTBF |
| Bolivia | Red Uno, Unitel, Entel, Tigo Sports |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | Arena Sport |
| Brazil | Grupo Globo, CazéTV, SBT/N Sports |
| Brunei | TBA |
| Bulgaria | BNT |
| Cambodia | Hang Meas |
| Canada | Bell Media |
| Caribbean | Rush Sports |
| Chile | Chilevisión |
| China | CCTV, Migu, Xiaohongshu |
| Colombia | Caracol, RCN, Win Sports |
| Costa Rica | Teletica, Tigo Sports |
| Croatia | HRT |
| Curaçao | Nos Pais Television |
| Cyprus | Sigma TV |
| Czechia | ČT, TV Nova |
| Denmark | DR, TV2 |
| Dominican Republic | CDN 37, Pio Deportes |
| Ecuador | Teleamazonas |
| El Salvador | TCS, Tigo Sports |
| Estonia | TV3 Estonia, ERR |
| Ethiopia | Hagerie TV |
| Fiji | FBC |
| Finland | Yle, MTV3 |
| France (Metropolitan) | M6, beIN Sports |
| France (Ultramarine) | Antenne Réunion, La 1ère |
| Georgia | Setanta Sports, Rustavi 2 |
| Germany | ARD, ZDF, Magenta Sport |
| Ghana | ChannelOne TV |
| Greece | ERT |
| Guatemala | Albavisión, Tigo Sports |
| Haiti | TNH |
| Honduras | Televicentro, Tigo Sports |
| Hong Kong | PCCW |
| Hungary | MTVA |
| Iceland | RÚV |
| India | Unite8 Sports (Zee) |
| Indonesia | TVRI, FolaPlay, Telkomsel |
| Ireland | RTÉ |
| Israel | KAN, Charlton |
| Italy | RAI, DAZN |
| Ivory Coast | RTI, NCI |
| Jamaica | TVJ |
| Japan | NHK, Nippon TV, Fuji TV, DAZN |
| Kazakhstan | QAZTRK |
| Kenya | Azam TV |
| Kosovo | RTK, TV Vala, Arena Sport |
| Kyrgyzstan | KTRK, Beeline Ukmush TV |
| Laos | TBA |
| Latvia | TV3 Latvia |
| Liechtenstein | SRG SSR |
| Lithuania | TV3 Lithuania |
| Luxembourg | RTBF, M6, ARD, ZDF |
| Macau | TDM |
| Malawi | Azam TV |
| Malaysia | RTM, Unifi TV |
| Maldives | ICE Networks |
| Malta | Television Malta |
| Mauritius | MBC |
| Mexico | TelevisaUnivision, TV Azteca |
| MENA | beIN Sports |
| Mongolia | EduTV, National Television, Suld TV, MNB, Mobihome VOO |
| Montenegro | RTCG, Arena Sport |
| Morocco | SNRT |
| Mozambique | Miramar, Z Sports |
| Myanmar | TBA |
| Nepal | Himalaya Sports, Dgo |
| Netherlands | NOS |
| New Zealand | TVNZ |
| Nicaragua | Grupo Ratensa, Tigo Sports |
| North Macedonia | Arena Sport |
| Norway | NRK, TV2 |
| Pakistan | PTV Sports, Tapmad |
| Panama | RPC/COS, TVN Media, Tigo Sports |
| Paraguay | Trece, GEN TV |
| Peru | América Televisión |
| Philippines | Aleph Arena, TAP DMV, Cignal PPV |
| Poland | TVP |
| Portugal | Sport TV, RTP, SIC, TVI, LiveModeTV |
| Romania | Antena |
| Russia | Match TV |
| Rwanda | Azam TV |
| Saint Lucia | Winners Sports TV |
| San Marino | RAI, DAZN |
| Senegal | RTS |
| Serbia | PTC, Arena Sport |
| Singapore | Mediacorp |
| Slovakia | RTVS, TV JOJ |
| Slovenia | RTV SLO, Arena Sport |
| South Africa | SABC, SportyTV |
| South America | DSports, Disney+ |
| South Korea | JTBC, KBS, NAVER Sports, CHZZK |
| Spain | RTVE, Mediapro/DAZN |
| Sri Lanka | TBA |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | New World TV, SuperSport |
| Suriname | STVS, ATV |
| Sweden | SVT, TV4 |
| Switzerland | SRG SSR |
| Taiwan | ELTA, EBC, TTV |
| Tajikistan | Varzish TV |
| Tanzania | Azam TV |
| Thailand | TBA |
| Timor-Leste | RTTL, ETO |
| Turkey | TRT |
| Turkmenistan | Quest Sports Media |
| Uganda | Azam TV |
| Ukraine | MEGOGO |
| United Kingdom | STV (Central & Northern Scotland), BBC, ITV |
| United States | Fox Sports (English), Telemundo (Spanish) |
| Uruguay | Canal 5, Antel TV |
| Uzbekistan | Zo’r TV |
| Vanuatu | VBTC |
| Venezuela | Televen |
| Vietnam | VTV |
| Zambia | Azam TV |
| Zimbabwe | Azam TV |
Major Football World Cup Matches to Watch This Week
With the group stage now underway, several of the tournament’s biggest storylines are still to come. Here’s what’s on the horizon for the stars listed above.
Argentina vs Algeria — Messi’s Farewell Tour Begins (June 16, Kansas City)
Defending champions Argentina open their campaign against Algeria, marking what is widely expected to be Lionel Messi’s final World Cup appearance. Given Argentina’s pedigree and Messi’s status as one of the most-watched athletes on the planet, this fixture is likely to be one of the most-streamed matches of the opening week.
Iraq vs Norway — Erling Haaland’s World Cup Debut (June 16, Foxborough)
Norway’s long wait for a return to the World Cup stage ends here, and it comes with one of football’s most prolific strikers in Erling Haaland making his tournament debut. Norway will be looking to start strong in Group I against Iraq.
Portugal vs DR Congo — Ronaldo’s Final World Cup Opener (June 17, Houston)
Cristiano Ronaldo makes his Group K bow against World Cup debutants DR Congo. Like Messi, this is expected to be Ronaldo’s last World Cup, adding emotional weight to every appearance he makes throughout the tournament.
England vs Croatia (June 17, Arlington)
A repeat of past tournament classics, this Group L meeting pits Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane’s England against a Croatia side that has reached a final and a semi-final in the last two World Cups.
Football World Cup: A Tournament for the Ages
This year’s Football World Cup is more than a football tournament; it is a cultural event spanning an entire continent. The tournament is expected to be the largest World Cup ever by both attendance and scale, and is also expected to expand the reach of football across North America.
With legendary players potentially playing their last World Cups, host nations hungry for glory, and a brand-new format delivering more football than ever before, the summer of 2026 promises to be utterly unforgettable for fans around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
England vs Croatia kicks off on June 17, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. ET (9:00 p.m. BST) at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Both England and Croatia are drawn in Group L, alongside Ghana and Panama. The group is widely considered one of the more competitive in the tournament.
England won all eight of their UEFA qualifying matches without conceding a goal, then won both Florida warm-up friendlies: 1-0 against New Zealand on June 6 and 3-0 against Costa Rica on June 10.
Andrej Kramaric is Croatia’s most prolific international scorer still active in the squad, having scored 36 goals for his country. He ended the 2025-26 Bundesliga season with 15 goals for Hoffenheim and is expected to be central to Dalic’s attack against England.
Luka Modric, 40, captains Croatia at his sixth World Cup, joining Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as the only male players to compete in six editions of the tournament. He is closing in on 200 international appearances and remains Croatia’s primary creative force.
Using a VPN is legal in most countries, but accessing geo-restricted content may breach a broadcaster’s terms of service. PureVPN recommends checking the applicable rules in your region before streaming. FIFA+ is also available as an alternative in selected territories where coverage is limited.
